UN Human Rights Documents

General comment No. 26 on children’s rights and the environment

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has published General Comment No. 26 on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change on 22nd of August 2023. 

In this general comment, the Committee emphasizes the urgent need to address the adverse effects of environmental degradation, with a special focus on climate change, on the enjoyment of children’s rights, and clarifies the obligations of States to address environmental harm and climate change. The Committee also explains how children’s rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child apply to environmental protection, and confirms that children have a right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

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2023

Guidance Note of the Secretary-General on Child Rights Mainstreaming

When adopted in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) enshrined, for the first time in international law, the recognition of children as subjects of the full scope of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights,1 a culmination in the evolution of the concept of childhood and a paradigm shift from the perception of children as the property of their parents. Since then, the Convention became the most ratified international human rights treaty in history and has prompted deep, transformative changes for children across the world, including with support from the United Nations (UN). More children than ever before now have access to health, education, protection, and participation opportunities.

Yet, child rights today are often misunderstood, disregarded, or disputed.

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2023

Convention on the rights of child (Info-graphic)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important agreement by countries who have promised to protect children’s rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Child explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments. All the rights are connected, they are all equally important and they cannot be taken away from children.

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Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA)

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) is a recent and extensive addition to international human rights policy and devotes itself largely to implementation considerations.

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) adopted in 1993 lays out in the most extensive language the consideration of human rights in the present era. In addition, it calls for and defines the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (now the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights or OHCHR).

The Declaration\’s Part Four, Articles 45 – 53, consider specifically Children\’s rights. Articles 20, 23, and 29 additionally address children. Articles 83 – 98 consider implementation specific information.

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1993

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights defines the basis of Human Rights in the contemporary era.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the groundwork international document that gives rise to contemporary human rights law. While not compulsory in and of itself, the principles and rights defined by the UDHR have been enacted through following associated Covenants and multilateral treaties like the ICCPR and ICESCR.

Article 26 offers specific language regarding children.

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1948

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

ICESCR lays international economic, social, and cultural rights into law and commits States Parties to them.

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was adopted by the UN GA in 1966. It requires economic, social, and cultural rights to Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories, and offers labor rights, the right to health, the right to education, and the right to an adequate standard of living. UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) monitors the Covenant for compliance.

Additional Rights of Children are addressed in Articles 10 and 13.

The ICESCR has one Optional Protocol associated.

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1966

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

The ICCPR helps to establish a number of internationally held human rights.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was adopted by the UN GA in 1966. A The requires respect for the civil and political rights, defined as the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial. The Covenant is monitored for compliance by the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC).

The additional rights of Children are addressed in Articles 6, 10, and 14.

In addition, there are the associated First Optional Protocol and Second Optional Protocol. The Second Optional Protocol specifically calls for abolition of Capital Punishment.

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1966

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was adopted in 1989 to set out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was adopted to succeed the 1924 Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the League of Nations. The UNCRC standardizes international law by determining the basic rights of children and parents, protection from abuses, parental responsibilities, and legal representation, among others. In addition, the Convention creates the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which monitors national compliance with the UNCRC. All United Nations Member States are party to the UNCRC excepting the United States which has signed but not ratified the Convention.

Notably, the UNCRC expressly forbids the use of capital punishment upon minors and by extension those who commit crimes while minors.

The treaty has one Amendment raising the membership of the CRC from 10 to 18 officers as well as three Optional Protocols:

  1. Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OP-AC)
  2. Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OP-SC)
  3. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure
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1989
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